On the Bubble: Better Off Ted, The Deep End, Flash Forward, The Forgotten, Scrubs, V

Canceled: Ugly Betty

Bluz’ Views: Modern Family and Cougar Town are 2 of the funniest shows on right now. I usually get 2 or 3 belly laughs out of each. The writing is especially crisp on Modern Family. I’m surprised Cougar Town caught on… it’s pretty quirky. Of course it does have the lovely Courteney Cox Arquette.

I don’t watch any of the Likely to Live shows, although I’ve watched Dancing With the Stars before this season. I think it’s always on opposite something else I watch, but I’m generally in favor of lots of hot dancer chicks in tight, revealing outfits.

The Bubble shows hurt… I love Flash Forward and V, the former because it’s a fascinating idea to examine what would happen if everyone suddenly became aware of some of what awaits them in the future. The latter, I enjoy because there are sneaky alien monsters playing opposite Elizabeth Mitchell, formerly “Juliet” on Lost, who is just yummy.

I was devastated when her character died in last season’s finale of Lost, but it’s not like you couldn’t see it coming. Characters named “Juliet” do not get to live happily ever after.

I just read today that V and Flash Forward were both sinking in the ratings; so unfortunately I think this bubble has burst. Networks don’t keep expensive hour-long dramas on the schedule if they aren’t earning.

CBS

Renewed: How I Met Your Mother, The Good Wife, NCIS: Los Angeles, The Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men, Undercover Boss, The Amazing Race, Survivor.

Bluz’ Views: Amazing Race and Survivor are shoe-ins and I’m glad. I rarely miss either. And Survivor looks amazing in Hi Def. I’m also glad The Good Wife is renewed. Julianna Margulies is also yummy and the show is engaging.

I’ve liked her ever since she was on ER.

Two and a Half Men may be on, or may not, depending on Charlie Sheen’s contract negotiations. Personally, I think his current 800K per show ought to be enough to keep him in hookers and blow, but who am I to say enough is enough? Love the show though, juvenile as it is, but I usually watch it in syndication, so I don’t give a rip if it’s picked up again.

Of the Likely to Live shows, I watch The Mentalist. I like the lead character for the same reasons I like Hannibal Lechter… he just seems so much more observant and intuitive than everyone else. And the Mentalist only chews scenery, not livers with fava beans.

On the Bubble shows… I sincerely hope Ghost Whisperer comes back but the network may not have enough room to accommodate Jennifer Love Hewitt AND her enormous batwing eyelashes.

On the bright side, if the show is cancelled, David Conrad may be home in Pittsburgh more often, so he can bum rides off of Ginny Montanez, nee PittGirl.

I always mean to watch Cold Case, because the star, Kathryn Morris, is also devastatingly yummy. But it’s on after football on Sunday nights and gets bounced around a lot, so I’m usually watching something else. I hope she lands in another show.

I only saw Three Rivers once… The show was OK, but considering it was about a hospital set in Pittsburgh, I was dismayed that not a single person had a yinzer* accent. What’s up with that? You set a show in Boston, people sound like the Kennedys. Set a show in New York, they all sound like DeNiro. But set a show (or a movie… I’m looking at YOU, “Striking Distance” and “Sudden Death”) in Pittsburgh there’s nary a gumband** in sight. So good riddance to the pretend Pittsburgh show.

Trauma? It was the heir to ER’s action, but with more helicopters and a much nicer looking backdrop. (San Francisco, which looks great behind all the aerial helicopter shots.)

Mercy? I love this show, the heir to ER’s emotional wallop. Plus it features an actress named Taylor Schilling:

I’m starting to wonder if one can O.D. on yumminess.

Fox

Renewed: Glee, Fringe, Bones, American Dad, The Cleveland Show, (no, Dad, it’s not about the Browns), Family Guy, The Simpsons.

Likely to Live: American Idol, House

On the Bubble: Brothers, Human Target, Lie to Me, Til Death

Canceled: Dollhouse, Past Life, and 24. Wait, what?? 24????

Bluz' Views: Sure, just take away my reason for getting out of bed on Monday mornings. At least they’re going to make a 24 movie, tentatively titled “2 and a Half,” I believe. OK, maybe not, but what else are the going to call it? Something lame like “24-The Movie”?

I also wish Dollhouse could have stuck around, but that cancellation came months ago.

It’s funny how most of the shows renewed on Fox feature cartoon characters. Much like their “news” department. Whooooo!

But who are they kidding about American Idol not being safe? Like they’re going to get rid of that cash cow… Unless Simon stabs the other judges in the head and napalms the set, it’ll be fine.

Not that I care… If I want to listen to bad singing, I’ll turn down the stereo in my car.

Lingo Notes for non-Pittsburghers:

* Yinzer is another term for Pittsburger, because they use the word “yinz” or “yunz” (technically “you’uns”) the same way southerners use the word, “y’all.”

** “Gumband” is Pittsburghese for “rubber band”. Really. Yinz can look it up…

24 comments:

I am just feeling sad about Scrubs! Even though I have not watched it this season (heard it sucked cause it is actually a spin off this year) I love that show sooooo much, I watch the reruns on comedy central all the time. And I love Zach Braff. I can add him to my list of unconventional love interests...along with FreeCreditReport.com guy and the Old Spice centaur!

I don't think I've ever seen Scrubs. I always heard it was good, but I think it was always up against something else I regularly watch.

It's funny... I actually have to try to limit how many shows I put in my "regular viewing" stable. Cuz I hate it when I miss an episode, especially with the dramas. I hate when I get hooked on a show and then the move the timeslot to that of another favorite.

Then add things like hockey games to that, and I end up with too many shows to even sort out with the DVR.

Like last Thursday... Survivor is opposite Flash Forward, with the Penguins on at the same time. I can watch one thing and record another, but that leaves one out. So I recorded Flash Forward, watched the game, and checked Survivor during commercials and period breaks. Plus, I know I can get Survivor online if need be.

You know, maybe it's not just my friend Jenn (from the earlier "Pranks for the Memories" post) that has the OCD.

So I love Jerry Orbach almost as much as Mr. Spock. I think we're going steady. (Now my age really shows).Nobody EVER does Pgh. accents, idiom or jargon. A mystery since the dialect is so noticeable and distinktive.One guide for those who like sammiches: An Italian mom sounds like this, "Yunz wanna sang-WEE-EEEDGE?" Accent and rising inflection on the second syllable. Sometimes only your doggie hears this.

Fan:I've gone through phases when I've hardly watched any TV, but this is not one of them. Last time was when I first got a computer and discovered chat rooms. I totally jones on it, but like all things, it ran its course.

CB:I appreciate your checking in and letting me know you're there! Have never seen "Anarchy", just the commercials when I'm watching "Rescue Me."

Mary Ann:I can hear that, and I never pass up an opportunity for a sangweech. As you know, I went to the Dagwood Bumstead School of Sangweech-Making.

I have to admit that I love House. He is such a quirky character but endearing in a bedeviling sort of way. When you mentioned Pittsburgh, I wanted to tell you that my husband and I rented "Kill Point"---streaming through Netflix. It was a series done with 8 episodes here in Pittsburgh. The story was riveting and we watched the entire series (five hours worth) the other night. Pittsburgh looked great!

I'm glad they are keeping Bones...I love me some David Boreanz (actually, I love his dad...)...but that's pretty much the only other Network show we watch...we live on the History Channel, Bravo, The Travel Channel, TLC and the Food Network...hmmm

Thanks for checking out my blog! "Hi" to you too. Can I just say that the most depressing cancellation in my TV world was "The Tudors?" English Renaissance intrigue at its finest. I was really hoping they'd continue the show with Henry's daughters, but apparently, no dice.

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Heathen blogger living in Baltimore, with Pittsburgh roots. I comment on sports, politics, movies, TV, pop culture and anything else that sufficiently provokes me. More vital information can be found at the "Helpful Stuff to Know" link at the top of the page.